Maghreb and Sahel Affairs

Ben Ali runs again!

TUNIS — Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who has led the North African country for 22 years, handed in his candidacy Wednesday for a fifth five-year term.

“I have just, by the grace of God, and in line with the provisions of the constitution, handed in my candidacy, in response to the call of duty and to renew the commitment I have taken with you,” Ben Ali said.

My knowledge of Tunisian politics being nearly nil, I can only make two confident predictions:

1. It will be a hard-fought, close presidential race, given the libertarian pluralism of the Tunisian political landscape, and the outspoken nature of the country’s free press.

2. The United States, France, the EU, and every last little fucker on Twitter will react with horror, shock and outrage should these elections not be fully democratic and transparent.